CPR Changes

We’ve just been notified of a recent change to the CPR Rules on instructions to Expert Witnesses by The Academy of Experts

From 1st December, the Protocol for the Instruction of Experts to give Evidence in Civil Claims will be removed from Practice Direction No 35; on the same day the “Guidance for the instructions of experts in civil claims” will come into force.

Some noticeable differences between the two are:

Experts must notify their instructee if they identify the basis of your instruction differs from the other side’s expert;

Experts must ensure that any requests to the court for directions are by letter clearly marked “expert’s request for directions”;

Experts must ensure that they have access to all relevant information as soon after accepting instructions as possible and notify your instructing solicitors of any omissions;